RAWALPINDI: Due to acute shortage of gas and its skyrocketing tariff commercial users are being compelled to get their gas connections severed.

The Restaurant, Caterers, Sweets & Bakers Association has urged the prime minister to get detailed records of gas disconnections in 2024.

In a press release, Mohammad Farooq Chaudhry, President of the association, said that from January to July 2024, commercial consumers were charged hefty amounts monthly under the guise of security deposits.

Meanwhile, the gas shortages and exorbitant price hikes have forced thousands of commercial users to get their gas supply disconnected this year, resulting in the unemployment of millions linked to the food sector.

He appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ask Sui Natural Gas Pipeline to provide the records of disconnections they made this year and make them public to highlight the people predicament . He pointed out that millions have had no choice but to disconnect their gas supply due to its acute shortage and unaffordable tariff.

Additionally, Chaudhry emphasized that OGRA should take steps to eliminate black marketing of LPG, prevent substandard LPG supplies, ensure quality checks on gas cylinders, and facilitate the availability of standard regulators and pipes in the market.

These measures are essential to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2024